Leica M11 MONOCHROM vs Leica M8: read noise comparison

Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Leica M11 MONOCHROM 3.6 e⁻ (ISO 125), Leica M8 10.9 e⁻ (ISO 160).

Dual gain: Leica M11 MONOCHROM ISO 400, Leica M8 none.

Leica M11 MONOCHROM

The Leica M11 MONOCHROM was measured at 33 ISO settings from ISO 125 to ISO 204800. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (125) read noise is 1.23 DN, or 3.6 electrons at the sensor. A second gain (dual gain) kicks in at ISO 400, cutting input-referred read noise by about 1.1 stop. From ISO 2500 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Settings above ISO 12800 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 44,112 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 360.

Leica M8

The Leica M8 was measured at 5 ISO settings from ISO 160 to ISO 2500. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (160) read noise is 6.68 DN, or 10.9 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 160 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Full well at base ISO is about 26,800 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 260.

Leica M11 MONOCHROM vs Leica M8 read noise table

ISO	Leica M11 MONOCHROM	Leica M8
125	1.231	–
160	1.485	6.681
200	1.790	–
250	2.158	–
320	2.621	13.361
400	1.485	–
500	1.815	–
640	2.219	28.840
800	2.713	–
1000	3.294	–
1250	4.056	60.969
1600	4.993	–
2000	6.190	–
2500	7.568	132.514
3200	9.383	–
4000	11.632	–
5000	14.221	–
6400	17.630	–
8000	21.857	–
10000	26.538	–
12800	32.672	–
16000	40.504	–
20000	50.914	–
25600	64.893	–
32000	79.893	–
40000	99.044	–
51200	128.890	–
64000	158.683	–
80000	195.361	–
102400	252.476	–
128000	306.555	–
160000	374.806	–
204800	471.136	–

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